Realizing The Power And Vulnerability Of Institutions Flashcards
Why does society need social institutions
• society would collapse without institutions
◦ The major ones are institutions and as they crumble as does society
• More complex societies develop other institutions
• Economy, infrastructure work, media reliability appreciated in hard times
◦ Rules in politics connect to families which can also connect to education. The best thing you can do for your little kids is read to them
• People may lose confidence in institutions
What is legitimate power
When people believe in the legitimacy of a ruler or institution, they grant it the authority and willingly comply to it
what is illegitimate power
Relying on forces to retain control requires that great effort and resources, with no guarantee of success
Why did the Venezuelan institution fall
• after Chavez’s death, multiple institutions failed simultaneously
◦ Government
◦ Economy
◦ Education
◦ Families
Why did Pakistani institutions fall
• The Pakistanian government lacks perceived legitimacy
• Corruption is maintained as a common theme in Pakistani society
The rise of the authoritarianism governments
- competitive authoritarian governments and authoritarian inaction
Examples of authoritarianization
Presidents Putin (Russia) and Tayyip (Turkey)
Efforts to overturn the 2020 election
Efforts to promote district of electoral process
Authoritarianism: Here now and nothing new
- some activating factors
- charmed by a strong leader
- use of a weaker “outside” groups as scapegoats
- example: Hitler’s use of Jewish people as scapegoats
- disadvantaged groups as scapegoats throughout U.S. history
Case study of Karachi, Pakistan
• Poorest global public transit system
• Tons of uncollected garbage
• Corruption
◦ Notorious education system
◦ Poor governance
Case study in Venezuela
• rampant crime
• Armored cars and private cars if money
• Victims rely on volunteer paramedics
• Few can afford basic necessities
Define democracy
A form of government in which leaders are elected by the people
- there is a growing cynicism towards this
- young people are most likely to lose trust in democratic governments
The declining confidence in the media
• Democracies rely on informed electorate
• “Fake news”
• A wide variety of news sources
• Media company perspectives versus facts
How can social problems change institutions
• One social problems may weaken or exacerbate others:
◦ Some directly affect social institutions
◦ Others lead to social unrest
• Institutions may fall without public confidence
The U.S. versus Germany in the Great Depression
U.S.
• Roosevelt’s “New Deal”
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
• Poor and working class had hope, governmental faith
What was the Great Depression meant to help? (Exam)
It was meant to help the working class
- just like this the New Deal was meant to provide relief for the unemployed and poor, and reforming the systems
